Graphics processing

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the present invention includes a device for real-time graphics processing. The device includes an interface coupled to exterior for receiving external data. The device includes a data converter coupled to the interface for converting the external data received from the interface. The device includes a graphics processing unit coupled to the data converter to process the external data that has been converted.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit and priority of theco-pending Chinese Patent Application No. 201110359378.7, by Yanxun L Iet al., filed on Nov. 14, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

Graphics processing units (GPUs) contain hundreds of arithmetic unitsand are able to provide tremendous acceleration for many numericallyintensive scientific applications. The key to effective utilization ofGPUs for video processing is the design and implementation of efficientdata-parallel algorithms that can scale to hundreds of tightly coupledprocessing units. Many image and video processing applications are wellsuited to GPUs, due to their extensive computational requirements, andbecause they lend themselves to parallel processing implementations. Theuse of GPUs can provide tremendous speed increases over a centralprocessing unit (CPU) in some implementations and without any compromisein final image quality.

The explosive growth of digital video content from commodity devices andon the Internet has precipitated a renewed interest in video processingtechnology, which broadly encompasses the compression, enhancement,analysis, and synthesis of digital video. Video processing iscomputationally intensive and often has accompanying real-time orsuper-real-time requirements. For example, surveillance and monitoringsystems need to robustly analyze video from multiple cameras in realtime in order to automatically detect and signal unusual events.Moreover, continued growth of functionality and speed of videoprocessing systems will likely further enable novel applications.

Due to the strong computational locality exhibited by video algorithms,video processing is highly amenable to parallel processing. Forinstance, what appears on the 10th frame of a video sequence does notstrongly affect the contents of the 1000th frame in time; and in space,an object on the left side of single frame does not strongly influencethe pixel values on the right. Such locality makes it possible to dividevideo processing tasks into smaller, weakly interacting pieces amenableto parallel processing. Furthermore, these pieces can share data toeconomize on memory bandwidth.

When doing video encoding, a GPU will get video data from a CPU. Thevideo data is copied from a system memory to a graphics memory on agraphics card via Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe),which may consume time and be limited by the speed of PCIe. FIG. 1 is ablock diagram illustrating the framework of an existing graphics cardsystem 100. In the graphics card system 100, a video camera 102 capturesexternal video data, which is transmitted through a CPU 101 and storedin a system buffer 103. When it is necessary for processing, the videodata is read from the system buffer 103 by a graphics processing unit(GPU) 105 through an interface 104 and then stored in a frame buffer 106for further processing, which is customized for graphics storage. Thistechnique is inadequate for a request of real-time and high-speedprocessing of video data.

SUMMARY

For a request of real-time and high-speed video processing, anembodiment in accordance with the invention includes a graphicsprocessing system for real-time processing of captured video data,namely a novel USB-camera graphics card with ‘Video-in’ function. Basedon the current design of graphics cards, it is found that most graphicscards only have output display ports without any video input functionfor real-time video capture.

Various embodiments in accordance with the present invention relategenerally to digital processing for image and video signals and, inparticular, to a method and system for real-time graphics processing. Inone embodiment, utilizing the graphics processing device with videoinput ports enable the captured video signal to be directly transmittedto a memory of the graphics processing device and processed by thegraphics processing unit (GPU) without data transmission between acentral processing unit (CPU) and the GPU. According to the device andmethod of various embodiments of the present invention, the speed ofreal-time graphics processing is substantially improved.

In one embodiment of the invention, a graphics processing device usedfor real-time video processing is provided, the graphics processingdevice comprises: an interface coupled to exterior for receivingexternal data; a data converter coupled to the interface for convertingthe external data received from the interface; and a graphics processingunit coupled to the data converter to process the external data that hasbeen converted.

In an embodiment, the graphics processing device further comprises apower supply for supplying power to the graphics processing unit and thedata converter.

In an embodiment, the data converter is used for converting serial videodata into parallel video data.

In an embodiment, the external data is video data captured by aperipheral camera.

In an embodiment, the interface is selected from at least RS-232(Recommended Standard 232), USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394 andInfrared.

In an embodiment, the interface is a wired or wireless network interfacesupporting network protocol.

In another embodiment of the invention, a real-time graphics processingmethod is provided for a graphics processing device. The devicecomprises an interface coupling to exterior for receiving external data;a data converter coupling to the interface and converting external datareceived from the interface; and a graphics processing unit coupling tothe data converter to process the external data that has been converted.The method comprises the steps of: starting and configuring the graphicsprocessing unit; monitoring by the graphics processing unit whetherthere is a request for capturing external data; configuring theinterface and the data converter by the graphics processing unit whenthere is a request for capturing external data; capturing data fromexterior by the interface; converting the captured data by the dataconverter; and transmitting the converted video data to the graphicsprocessing unit by the data converter.

In an embodiment, the graphics processing unit is operable forresponding to interrupt processes.

In an embodiment, the configuring of the interface and the dataconverter by the graphics processing unit can be executed simultaneouslyor in sequence.

In an embodiment, the data converter includes both the interfacefunction and the data conversion function.

In another embodiment of the invention, a computer system is providedfor real-time graphics processing. The computer system comprises: aninterface coupled to an exterior resource; a memory for storing aplurality of instructions; a central processing unit for executing theplurality of instructions; a data converter coupled to the interface forconverting external data received from the interface; and a graphicsprocessor unit coupled to the data converter for processing the externaldata that has been converted.

In an embodiment, the computer system further comprises a power supplyfor supplying power to the graphics processing unit and the dataconverter.

The graphics processing device in accordance with various embodiments ofthe present invention can be provided with ordinary video input ports,such as USB interface, in order to conveniently have both videocapturing and processing functions. The video input ports enable usersto couple to ordinary video devices, for instance, a USB camera, amobile telephone with a USB interface and camera/video function, or atablet personal computer (tablet PC), etc.

Additional features and advantages of various embodiments in accordancewith the invention will be set forth in the description that follows,and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned bypractice of various embodiments in accordance with the invention. Theadvantages of various embodiments in accordance with the invention canbe realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out inthe written description and claims hereof as well as the appendeddrawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of various embodiments inaccordance with the invention as claimed.

While particular embodiments in accordance with the invention have beenspecifically described within this Summary, it is noted that theinvention and the claimed subject matter are not limited in any way bythese embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of various embodiments in accordance with the invention,and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. Thedrawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, togetherwith the description, serve to explain the principles of variousembodiments in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the framework of an existinggraphics card system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a particular embodiment of a graphicsprocessing device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit of a particular embodiment of a graphics processingdevice in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a real-time video processing method accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system with areal-time video processing method according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments inaccordance with the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. While the invention will be described inconjunction with various embodiments, it will be understood that thesevarious embodiments are not intended to limit the invention. On thecontrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modificationsand equivalents, which may be included within the scope of the inventionas construed according to the Claims. Furthermore, in the followingdetailed description of various embodiments in accordance with theinvention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be evident toone of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practicedwithout these specific details or with equivalents thereof. In otherinstances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits havenot been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects ofthe invention.

Various embodiments in accordance with the present invention relategenerally to digital processing for image and video signal and, inparticular, to a method and system for real-time graphics processing.

The graphics processing device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention can be used for real-time and high-speed processing ofcaptured graphics data. The graphics data is enabled to be captureddirectly from a video capture device and transmitted directly to amemory of a graphics processing device by arranging particular videodata ports on the graphics processing device. According to the graphicsprocessing device of an embodiment of the present invention, thetransmission of the captured video data between a CPU and a GPU isavoided, which leads to a decrease of the processing time, and improvesthe efficiency of graphics processing, especially real-time graphicsprocessing.

The graphics processing device of an embodiment of the present inventioncan be provided or implemented with well used video input ports, such asUSB interface, in order to conveniently have both video capturing andprocessing functions. The video input ports enable users to couple anordinary video device, for instance, a USB camera, a mobile telephonewith a USB interface and camera/video function, or a tablet PC, etc.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein in the context ofsystems and methods for a novel USB-camera graphics card with ‘Video-in’function. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that thefollowing description is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves tothose skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the exampleembodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The samereference indicators will be used to the extent possible throughout thedrawings and the following description to refer to the same or the likeelement.

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a particular embodiment of a graphicsprocessing device 200 in accordance with the present invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, a graphics processing device 200 in an embodimentof the present invention includes a graphics processing unit (GPU) 202,a data converter 203, a power supply 204 and an interface 205. The dataconverter 203 couples with the GPU 202 and the interface 205 to convertthe received graphics data. The power supply 204 couples with the GPU202 and the data converter 203 to supply power to them. For ease ofunderstanding, only the components pertinent to an understanding of theoperation of the example embodiment are included and described. Howeverembodiments covered by several aspects of the present invention cancontain fewer or more components. Each component of FIG. 2 is describedin detail as follows.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the graphics processing device 200 in anembodiment of the present invention includes a graphics processing unit(GPU) 202, which is used to control the operation of each block unit ofthe graphics processing device 200 by executing instructions. Forinstance, the GPU 202 sends instructions in order to transmit the datacaptured by a video capture device 201 or other peripheral devicesthrough the interface 205. The GPU 202 additionally sends a controlsignal to the data converter 203 to control data conversion performed bythe data converter 203.

In an embodiment, the video capture device 201 can be a USB camera, amobile telephone with a USB interface and camera/video function, or atablet PC, etc., to capture video and/or image data, which istransmitted to the graphics processing device 200 for furtherprocessing.

In an embodiment, the interface 205 is used for data transmission andexchange between the graphics processing device 200 and the videocapture device 201 or other peripheral devices. The interface 205 isselected at least from various peripheral interfaces for datatransmission known in the relevant arts, for example, RS-232, USB, IEEE1394, Infrared, etc., to enable the graphics processing device 200 tocouple with various peripheral video capture devices supportingrespective protocols. The interface 205 can additionally be a wired orwireless network interface, for instance, Bluetooth, LAN interface,fibre interface, etc.

In an embodiment, the data converter 203 is used to convert the videodata captured by the video capture device 201 through the interface 205.In one embodiment, for example, when the captured video data comes froma USB camera, the data captured by the video capture device 201 isserial data, while the data supplied for further processing by the GPU202 should be parallel data. As such, the captured serial data have tobe converted into parallel data by the data converter 203 for furtherprocessing by the GPU 202. Naturally, in an embodiment, it is apparentto one skilled in the relevant arts that the data converter 203 is notneeded if the data captured by the peripheral video capture device 201meets the required format for direct processing by the GPU 202.

In an embodiment, the power supply 204 is arranged in the graphicsprocessing device 200 to supply power to each functional component andelement, for example, the GPU 202 and the data converter 203 of thegraphics processing device 200.

FIG. 3 is a circuit of a particular embodiment of a graphics processingdevice 300 in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the graphics processing device 300 according to this embodimentcomprises a graphics processing unit (GPU) 302, a data converter 303 anda power supply 304. The data converter 303 is implemented by a parallelinterface chip CH 374 according to this embodiment, which is compatiblewith a data converting function of serial data and parallel data and aninterface function of the USB camera 301. The power supply 304 couplesto the GPU 302 for supplying power to it.

In an embodiment, when power is supplied to the graphics processingdevice 300, the GPU 302 sends control instructions to a parallelinterface chip, namely the data converter 303, through interfaces suchas MIOBD8, MIOBD9, MIOBD10 and MIOBD11, to receive the video stream dataUD in serial data format from the USB camera 301. The video stream datais converted to be appropriate for direct processing by the GPU 302 bythe parallel interface chip 303, namely a data D[7-0], and is inputtedsubsequently into data interfaces MIOBD0-MIOBD7 of the GPU 302. It is 8bit parallel data as illustrated in FIG. 3, but embodiments of thepresent invention can be used for processing graphics of any otherwidths, such as 16 bit and 32 bit, etc., which is apparent to oneskilled in the relevant arts. When the data D[7-0] is received, it canbe directly processed by the GPU 302 without reading data from the othercache for CPU instructions, leading to a decrease of the data processingtime and increasing the efficiency of the data processing, and apossibility of real-time processing of video stream data.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a real-time video processing method accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The flow chart illustrated inFIG. 4 is only for explanation. However, various features can beimplemented in other environments and other components. Moreover, theparticular order of the represented procedures is only for explanation.It should be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations andalternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spiritof the present invention, as will be apparent to one skilled in therelevant arts.

The flow chart begins at step 401, wherein power is applied and the GPUstarts up.

In step 402, the GPU is put in working order, that is to say, the BIOS(basic input/output system) and drivers of the GPU are loaded into itscache for putting the GPU in working order.

In step 403, the GPU monitors whether there is request for capturingexternal data and, specifically, monitors whether a peripheral camerasends a request for capturing video. If the request is not received, theGPU will wait until the request appears. If the request appears, step404 will be executed.

Step 404 comprises two sub-steps, namely steps 404 a and 404 b. In step404 a, the GPU sends a control signal to a configuration register forconfiguring the interface of the graphics processing device and theperipheral camera. In step 404 b, the GPU sends a control signal to aconfiguration register for configuring the data converter, namely thechip for converting serial data into parallel data. Alternatively, in anembodiment, step 404 a and step 404 b can be combined into oneindependent step when the data converter is compatible with an interfacefunction and a data conversion function. If the graphics processingdevice includes an individual interface and a data converter unit, theGPU is capable of configuring them respectively and step 404 is dividedinto two sub-steps, namely steps 404 a and 404 b. The configurationsteps can be executed simultaneously or in sequence.

When each of the registers and the corresponding interfaces and dataconverter units has been configured in step 404, the camera is startedup for capturing video in step 405. Additionally, in step 405, theinterface receives the video from the peripheral camera and transfers itto the data converter unit, which converts the video from serial datainto parallel data. Also, in step 405, the data converter unit transfersthe parallel data to the GPU for further processing.

Alternatively, the GPU may respond to an interrupt processing, as shownin step 406. The GPU responds to an interrupt request and subsequentlyexecutes step 407 of the interrupt response and process.

In step 408, the camera is shut down following an accomplishment of thedata processing by the GPU, and the process ends in step 409.

It should be appreciated that the method represented in the presentinvention can be implemented in various environments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example environment in whichseveral features in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention may be implemented. The example environment is showncontaining only representative systems for illustration. However,real-world environments may contain more/fewer/differentsystems/components as will be apparent to one skilled in the relevantarts. Implementations in such environments are also contemplated to bewithin the scope and spirit of various embodiments of the presentinvention.

A device 500 is shown containing a CPU 510, a system memory 520, agraphics processing unit (GPU) 530, a GPU memory 540, a peripheralinterface 550, and a removable storage 595. For conciseness and ease ofunderstanding, only the components pertinent to an understanding of theoperation of an example embodiment are included and described. Howeverembodiments covered by several aspects of the present invention cancontain fewer or more components. Each component of FIG. 5 is describedin detail below.

In an embodiment, the CPU 510 represents a central processor(s) which atleast in substantial respects controls the operation (or non-operation)of the various other blocks (in the device 500) by executinginstructions stored in the system memory 520. Some of the instructionsexecuted by the CPU 510 also represent various user applications (e.g.,playing songs/video, video recording, etc.) provided by the device 500.

In an embodiment, the system memory 520 contains various randomlyaccessible locations which store instructions and/or data used by theCPU 510. As noted above, some of the instructions may represent userapplications. Other instructions may represent an operating system(containing or interfacing with device drivers), etc. The system memory520 may be implemented using one or more of SRAM (static random accessmemory), SDRAM (synchronous dynamic random access memory), DDR (doubledata rate) RAM, etc. Specifically, pixel values that are to be processedand/or to be used later may be stored in the system memory 520 via apath 521 by the CPU 510.

In an embodiment, the removable storage 595 may store data (e.g.,captured video or audio or still images, etc.) via path 596. In oneembodiment, the removable storage 595 is implemented as a flash memory.Alternatively, in an embodiment, the removable storage 595 may beimplemented as a removable plug-in card, thus allowing a user to movethe stored data to another system for viewing or processing or to useother instances of plug-in cards.

In an embodiment, the removable storage 595 may contain an additionalmemory unit (e.g., ROM (read only memory), EEPROM (Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read Only Memory), etc.), which store a plurality ofinstructions, which when executed by the CPU 510 and the GPU 530 providevarious features in accordance with various embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein. In general, such a memory unit (including RAMs,non-volatile memory, removable or not) from which instructions can beretrieved and executed (by CPU or GPU) are referred to as a computerreadable medium. It should be appreciated that the computer readablemedium can be deployed in various other embodiments, potentially indevices, which are not intended for capturing video, audio or images,but providing several features described herein.

In an embodiment, the peripheral interface 550 provides anyphysical/electrical and protocol interfaces needed for couplingdifferent peripheral devices and/or other systems operating withdifferent protocols. Merely for illustration, the peripheral interface550 is shown as a single block interfacing with multiple interfaceblocks. For instance, the peripheral interface 550 includes the USBcamera block 590. However, the peripheral interface 550 may containmultiple units, each adapted or implemented for the specific interfaceblock, as will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts.

In an embodiment, an input and output (I/O) interface 560 provides auser with the facility to provide inputs to the multi-media device andreceive outputs. An input interface (e.g., interface with a keyboard orroller ball or similar arrangements, not shown) provides a user with thefacility to provide inputs to the multi-media device, for example, toselect features such as whether encoding is to be performed. An outputinterface provides output signals (e.g., to a display unit, not shown).The input interface and output interface together form the basis of asuitable user interface for a user.

In an embodiment, a serial and parallel interfaces 570 and otherinterfaces 580 (containing various peripheral interfaces known in therelevant arts, for example RS-232, USB, Firewire, Infrared, etc.) enablethe multi-media device to couple to various peripherals and devicesusing the respective protocols.

In an embodiment, the GPU memory 540 (which may be implemented using oneor more of SRAM, SDRAM, DDR RAM, etc.) from which data may be retrievedfor processing by the GPU 530. The GPU memory 540 may be integrated withthe GPU 530 into a single integrated circuit or located external to it.As an alternative, in an embodiment, the GPU memory 540 may containmultiple units, with some units integrated into the GPU 530 and someexternal to the GPU 530. In addition to supporting encoding as describedin sections below, the GPU memory 540 in an embodiment may be used tostore data to support various graphics operations, and to store apresent frame based on which display signals are generated to a displayunit.

In an embodiment, the graphics processing unit (GPU) 530 is used tooperate the data converter 552 and the interface 562 by executinginstructions in order to transmit the received data through theinterface 562 from the video capturing devices, namely the USB camera590. The GPU 530 additionally transmits control signals to the dataconverter 552, in order to control the progressing of data conversion bythe data converter 552. The GPU 530 processes converted image or videodata to execute operations, and generates display signals to a displayunit from the processed/generated graphics data.

In an embodiment, the device 500 includes the CPU 510, system memory520, system bus 515, peripheral interface 550, input and outputinterface 560, serial and parallel interfaces 570, other interfaces 580,USB camera 590, interface 562, data converter 552, GPU 530, GPU memory540, and removable storage 595. The CPU 510 is coupled to the system bus515 via path 511. The system memory 520 is coupled to the system bus 515via path 521. The GPU 530 is coupled to the system bus 515 via path 531.The peripheral interface 550 is coupled to the system bus 515 via path551. The removable storage 595 is coupled to the system bus 515 via path596. The input and output interface 560 is coupled to the peripheralinterface 550 via path 561. The serial and parallel interfaces 570 arecoupled to the peripheral interface 550 via path 571. The otherinterfaces 580 are coupled to the peripheral interface 550 via path 581.The USB camera 590 is coupled to the peripheral interface 550 via path591. The GPU 530 and the interface 562 are coupled to the USB camera590. In one embodiment, the GPU 530 and the interface 562 are coupled tothe USB camera 590 via paths 539 and 591. The data converter 552 iscoupled to the interface 562 and the GPU 530. The GPU memory 540 iscoupled to the GPU 530 via path 541.

It should be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations andalternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spiritof the present invention. The invention is further defined by thefollowing claims.

The foregoing descriptions of various specific embodiments in accordancewith the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching. The invention isto be construed according to the Claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A graphics processing device comprising: aninterface for receiving external serial video data from a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) video capture device; a data converter connected to theinterface for converting the external serial video data received fromthe interface into parallel video data; and a graphics processing unitconnected to the data converter for processing the parallel video data,the graphics processing unit is further for configuring the interfaceand the data converter simultaneously.
 2. The graphics processing deviceof claim 1, wherein the USB video capture device comprises a mobiletelephone.
 3. The graphics processing device of claim 1, wherein thegraphics processing unit is further for sending a control signal toconfigure the data converter.
 4. The graphics processing device of claim1, wherein the USB video capture device comprises a Universal Serial Bus(USB) camera.
 5. The graphics processing device of claim 1, wherein theinterface comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB).
 6. The graphicsprocessing device of claim 1, wherein the graphics processing unit isfurther for sending a control signal to a configuration register forconfiguring the data converter.
 7. A method comprising: monitoring by agraphics processing unit whether there is a request for capturing videodata from an external Universal Serial Bus (USB) video capture device;after detecting the request, the graphics processing unit configuring aninterface and a data converter simultaneously; the interface receivingvideo data from the external USB video capture device; the interfacetransferring the video data to the data converter; the data converterconverting the video data from serial video data into parallel videodata; the data converter transmitting the parallel video data to thegraphics processing unit; and the graphics processing unit processingthe parallel video data; wherein a graphics processing device comprisesthe graphics processing unit, the interface, and the data converter. 8.The method of claim 7, further comprising: the graphics processing unitsending a control signal to a configuration register to configure theinterface.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: after detectingthe request, the graphics processing unit sending a control signal to aconfiguration register to configure the data converter.
 10. The methodof claim 8, wherein the interface comprises a Universal Serial Bus(USB).
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the interface is a connectedto the data converter, and the graphics processing unit is connected tothe data converter.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the interfacecomprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB).
 13. The method of claim 7,wherein the external USB video capture device comprises a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) camera.
 14. The method of claim 7, wherein the externalUSB video capture device comprises a mobile telephone.
 15. A computersystem comprising: a system bus; a central processing unit coupled tothe system bus; an interface for coupling to and for receiving externalserial video data from an external Universal Serial Bus (USB) videocapture device; a data converter connected to the interface forconverting the external serial video data received from the interfaceinto parallel video data; and a graphics processing unit connected tothe data converter for processing the parallel video data, the graphicsprocessing unit is further for configuring the interface and the dataconverter simultaneously.
 16. The computer system of claim 15, whereinthe external USB video capture device comprises a mobile telephone. 17.The computer system of claim 15, wherein the graphics processing unit isfurther for sending a control signal to configure the data converter.18. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the external USB videocapture device comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) camera.
 19. Thecomputer system of claim 15, wherein the interface comprises a UniversalSerial Bus (USB).
 20. The computer system of claim 15, wherein thegraphics processing unit is further for sending a control signal to aconfiguration register for configuring the interface.